Begonia plant

ABSTRACT

This novel begonia originated as a mutation of Ballerina, and has bright yellow tepals.

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive cultivar ofbegonia plant, botanically known as Begonia elatior, and was discoveredby me as a mutation of the cultivar Ballerina, disclosed in U.S. PlantPat. No. 3,868, issued Apr. 20, 1976 to Margarete Rohde-Rieger. The newcultivar was observed in a group of flowering plants of the parentcultivar Ballerina. Asexual reproduction by stem and leaf cuttings hasreproduced the unique features of the cultivar through successivepropagations.

The following characteristics in combination distinguish the new begoniafrom both its parent and other begonias commercially known and used inthe floriculture industry:

1. Bright yellow double flower up to 6 cm. in diameter when mature. Theparent cultivar Ballerina is apricot-orange in color.

2. Flowers are double with odd numbers of tepals, varying in number moreor less from 21 to 31.

3. The new cultivar is very fast growing and requires growth regulatorsfor height control when produced under a high light and tempertureenvironment.

4. General plant characteristics somewhat resemble the Rieger Aphroditetypes, but better stem vigor allows this new cultivar to be betteradapted to upright growth. Reference is made to U.S. Plant Pat. No.3,318 (Aphrodite Cherry Red).

5. The new cultivar is highly resistant to common, powdery mildew.

6. Individual flowers are long lasting but of less duration than theparent cultivar Ballerina.

The accompanying colored photographic drawing taken in Nurtingen,Germany illustrates the overall appearance of the new cultivar taken asa face view of the plant. The photograph shows the colors as true as itis reasonably possible to obtain in a colored reproduction of this type.

The following is a detailed description of my new begonia variety basedon plants produced under commercial practices in Nurtingen, Germany.Color references are made to the Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

Parentage: The new cultivar is a mutation of the cultivar Ballerina.

Propagation: Propagation is very rapid by leaf cuttings, being 2 weeksfaster than Schwabenland, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,320,granted Mar. 13, 1973 to Otto Rieger, deceased. Initiation anddevelopment of 3-6 adventitious buds is very consistant at all times ofthe year and especially good in summer months when the Schwabenlandtypes are inconsistent. Stem cuttings may also be used for propagationas there is considerable self-branching.

Rooting habits.--Very easy to root at 20°-22° C. Roots are abundant,fibrous, and have a dendritic pattern.

Plant form.--Basically upright, tending to be vining under high lightenvironments.

Habit of Growth.--Very free growing.

Blooming habits.--After flower initiation, there is profuse bloomingover a long period of time.

Blooming season.--Natural flowering season is in November in Germany. Byuse of controlled environments of temperature and daylight Balaleika canbe commercially produced at all times of the year.

Foliage.--Near average for this type of begonia.

Size.--15 cm. across by 12 cm. long. Leaf size will vary with growingconditions.

Shape.--Nearly round.

Texture.--Leathery.

Margin.--Nearly complete with few serrations or sinus indentations.Young leaves are sharply serrated.

Color.--Young leaves: Upper side, darker than 147A green. Lower side,green mixed with red. Mature leaves: Upper side, darker than 139A green.Lower side, 147C yellow green.

Disease resistance.--More resistant to powdery mildew than theSchwabenland types but somewhat less resistant than the Aphrodite typeswhen all are tested under conditions for optimum mildrew growth.

Flowers:

Borne.--On strong upright peduncles. Flowers are double with average of25 tepals. Odd numbers of tepals usually occur. Edges of flowers aresometimes very wavy.

Quantity.--Average for elatior type begonias. Long lasting doubleflowers and variable color tones give an appearance of greaterflowering.

Buds.--Flat, measuring 25 mm. in diameter before flowering.

Tepals.--Total flower size 45 mm. to 60 mm. in diameter.

Color.--The flower color is yellow 9A fading to 9C. The outer two petalsmay show slight red infusion on the underside of the tepals.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--None seen to date.

Pollen.--None seen to date.

Styles/ovaries.--None seen to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of begonia plant characterizedparticularly as to uniqueness by the combined characteristics of brightyellow double flowers having a size up to 6 cm. in diameter when mature,with the flowers having an odd number of tepals; very fast growing habitwhich requires growth regulation for height control in high light andhigh temperature conditions, and long lasting nature of the individualflowers.